A possible out-of-court settlement is being negotiated between Oscar Pistorius and the parents of his dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whose murder he goes on trial for on March 3 in South Africa.

The Times in South Africa reported Pistorius's lawyer Kenny Oldwage's confirmation of talks with the Steenkamp family.

Reeva, who was killed by gun shot wounds fired by Pistorius - who maintains he believed he was shooting at an intruder in his home - and her half-brother Adam apparently financially assisted their pensioner parents Barry and June.

The elderly parents have filed a civil claim for loss of income and emotional distress against Pistorius, which the Paralympic star's lawyers want to get out of the way before the criminal trial.

“You will understand this is a very sensitive situation,” Pistorius's lawyer Kenny Oldwage told the paper.

The settlement is believed to end up around two million rand (£112,000).

Reports say Steenkamp's parents had bought a pub with money gained from interviews with foreign media following their daughter's death on Valentine's Day in 2013.